Some Effects of Discrepancy from Optimal Information Load and Diversity

摘要

In previous studies it was shown that in a tactical decision making task there are periods of information load which are sub-optimal and super-optimal for the integrative aspects of decision making. It was the purpose of this study to determine whether individuals are sensitive to or aware of this environmental detriment to information processing in sub-optimal and super-optimal periods, and whether there are differences between integratively simple and integratively complex individuals in this sensitivity or awareness. Teams of four subjects played a competitive, tactical game which extended over seven half-hour periods, and in which the level of information load was varied to cover a range from low to high (sub-optimal to super-optimal). It was confirmed that people in general requested more information following sub-optimal periods than following superoptimal periods, and secondly, that persons with simpler conceptual structures, as compared to persons with more complex conceptual structures, requested relatively less information following sub-optimal periods, and relatively more following super-optimal periods. (Author)